Doncaster RLFC: Jack Miller aiming to do his dad Tony proud

Jack Miller is following in his father's footsteps at Doncaster. Photo: Rob Terrace.

Steve Hossack

Published:06:00Sunday 19 March 2017

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Doncaster RLFC half-back Jack Miller knows more than most he has a lot to live up to in his first season at the club.

Dad Tony was a fans' favourite on the field and also proved one of the club's most successful head coaches.

“I try not to think about what my dad did for the club and I try to concentrate on my own game,” said Jack.

“But he watches me play, as he did when I was at Huddersfield, and he still gives me advice. He knows the game inside out so I’d be a fool not to listen.

“He’ll talk to me after games and tell me where I went wrong and I suppose he’s my biggest critic.

“I signed for the Giants when I was 18, so I was only a young kid, and there were some great half-backs there at the time so I was never going to make it into the first team at that age.

“But while I was there I learned a lot about the game from them – and not just the game but about life.

“Danny Brough, in particular, was a fantastic player and still is and you learn a lot from being around people like that every day and seeing what they do.

“After I got released from Huddersfield I decided to go to Australia for a couple of years, as have a few young players from Leeds over the years.

“I came back not only a better player for the experience but also a better person.

“When (head coach) Gary Thornton spoke to me he said he wanted me to come to Doncaster but that he couldn’t guarantee me a regular place in the team.

“But Mason Tonks, who is my best mate, was already here and I knew a few other players, so I decided to give it a go and I've no regrets.”

With first-choice No 7 Jordie Hedges picking up a six-match ban, Miller got an earlier than expected opportunity to press his claims but was left out of the squad at North Wales at the weekend as Thornton took a look at Kieran Cross.